Programmes

Castlerea Community School offers a full range of Courses and subjects.

Junior Cycle:

First Year is a taster year where students can explore their interests and skill level in a broad range of optional subjects before making a decision for the Junior Cert. This was highlighted in the Whole School Evaluation report as very positive for the students.

Senior Cycle:

At Senior Level there are four options available to students

• Transition Year
• Leaving Cert Applied
• Leaving Certificate established
• Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

A comprehensive range of subjects is available thus catering for all students needs and interests.

Special Education:

Special education is a core part of the education provided in CCS. Students with learning or physical challenges are catered for by a very dedicated team of teachers and Special Needs Assistants. Special education ranges from first year to Leaving Cert. Many of our SEN students have achieved outstanding success in the state examinations.

Leaving Certificate Applied

The Leaving Cert Applied prepares students for work and for life, using different approaches to learning and to assessment

What is the Leaving Certificate Applied?

• It is a self-contained two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life
• It gradually build students’ knowledge and skills ,continually assessing them and rewarding their work with credits .LCA is full of practical and active learning with project work that is either individual and/or group

Who would most befefit?

• Students who find it difficult to learn by studying to recall information , yet learn better by hands on practical skills based learning.
• Students who choose not to opt for the established leaving cert as they feel its too difficult for them, not able for it .

Rationale (Thinking behind it?)

• It is designed for those students who do not wish to go on to third level education, or wish to wait and go there by a different route perhaps later in their lives.
• Prepares students for adult and working life and the development of student’s literacy and numeracy (English & Maths)
• Recognises talents of all pupils
• Promotes communication, decision making skills and reflective skills.
• Applies knowledge and skills to the solution of real problems
• Has a strong community base – work experience, Community service organisations, Voluntary organisations

C.C.S Curriculum modules

• Vocational Preparation & Guidance ( Including work experience)
• English & Communications
• Mathematical Applications
• Information Technology ( Computer skills)
• Vocational Specialism’s – Hotel & Catering and engineering.
• Arts Education
• Languages :Irish & French or German
• Leisure & Recreation
• Social Education
• Elective Modules, Science, Child Care, Office Administration ,Active leisure studies